Sunday, August 29, 2010

Galatians 5:13 - Through Love Serve One Another

This verse is so true! It IS through Love that we serve one another.

This has been an incredibly busy month for me. Starting off with the Relay for Life! This was my first Relay. My sweet husband tried to Relay for 4 years. Every time, something would happen, he would be on Chemo or Radiation or sick from treatments. I walked this year in his honor. For him, in honor of him and right beside him. I walked with fellow warriors, friends and a very brave woman who also lost her husband to Cancer just 6 short months ago. Our team (Biaggini's Cancer Crusaders) raised over $1,900.00 for Cancer Research. The relay took in almost $100,000.00 with the combined efforts of all the teams and local donations. Talk about feeling good and serving one another.

It was a beautiful night. Almost no weather to speak of, with the
exception of a little wind, early in the evening. We walked in
memory of those who have lost their battle, those who continue to battle and those who are survivors. Cancer touches each one of us in some way. It might be someone we know, it might be someone we love or it just might be ourselves.

Lesson Learned - GIVE BACK! Do something. Anything. Just serve one another. Embrace the gifts you have been given, realize they are gifts, and give back. We are so powerful individually but even more powerful when we come together as a team.

All through this event I was reminded of my husband. The fight, the strength, the honor, the dreams. I will continue to serve, continue to honor him and continue to be blessed by the legacy he gave me and my children. A legacy of servitude, a legacy of strength, a legacy of hope, of courage, of support and of helping others. Inspiring and touching lives in a way that makes you feel good.
In honor of Johnny "Boots" Williams. I am still learning, serving and believing that we are still - right beside each other. I will walk this Relay for Life again. Do my part to raise money, to encourage those around me, to uplift spirits and to just be still and watch the power created by Warriors.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

How To Be Alone

This is something I have struggled with all my life. Not anymore!!!! I love being alone now, I long for it. I love me and I love being with me! Just me! It's okay, in fact it's fun! This video teaches you how to learn how to do it. I wish I had learned this years ago! Thanks Andrea and Tanya for opening my eyes.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Falling In Love - With Myself!

This has been a year of firsts for me. A year of firsts without my sweet husband by my side. Everything is different. I don't anything the way I did a year ago. I think, part of it, is self preservation. Part of it, is just learning to live.

A year ago I had no idea what I liked. If you asked what was for dinner, I would call my husband and ask what he wanted to eat. If you asked what my favorite color was, I would say blue, just because. It amazes me to think about how little I really knew myself. No wonder, so many day to day functions actually scared me. I absolutely could not function properly in Wal-Mart. Would not, go to any restaurant alone. Could not, think about making a single decision without someone's approval.

I'm getting better now. This is a slow process. But, I'm liking what I see. I'm liking who I am. I'm liking the choices I'm making. Actually, I am falling in love with myself. It's a great feeling. I've always been a giver, a caretaker, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, etc. I've always taken those "roles" seriously. I still do. However, along with those roles, I'm also just me.

I do like blue but I also like other colors. I prefer sparkling water. I would rather eat fish than red meat. I love cool weather. I love to sleep with a cool breeze blowing against my face. I love early mornings and late nights. My music changes daily, and I love that. I love to travel, alone! I love to spend quiet sunsets on the beach, eating appetizers and drinking rum runners! I hate a dirty kitchen. I love comfortable clothing, flat shoes and no makeup. I love beautiful dresses, high heels and red lipstick. I love scarves and sweaters. My favorite face makup is Dior Flash. My favorite lipstick is Mac - Twig. I love animals, sweet people and my dogs. I adore my children. I am blessed with my family. I had the greatest love a girl could wish for in a lifetime. I love GOD.

I flew to Las Vegas last week. I left at 4pm. Went to a party for a photography Studio ATG. Then flew home at 9:30 p.m. Totally out of my box. I loved it. I had a great time. It was a little overwhelming. It was a little scary. It was a lot different for me. It was Good! I'm flying to So. California Thursday. I'll be spending time with my amazing motherand father-in-law, sister-in-law and niece. It will be the first time staying with them without my husband. Another first. But, I am prepared. I am excited. I am looking forward to it.

I am learning to Love me. I recommend it highly. It is giving me freedom of heart. I know a lot of people who say they love themselves. Hell, I use to. But, to really love yourself, to put yourself first. To place yourself on a pedestal, so to speak. Appreciate who you are and what you have become in your life. It is so liberating. I can honestly say, that the more I find out about myself, the more I like who I see.

I'm hoping that someday, I can grow enough, believe enough, love enough to touch someone's heart. To break their barrier. To teach them to love themself. To show them GOD. To ease someone's pain. To share this joy I am finding.

Maybe then I will have found what it means to be content.